I returned to my quilting group this week and was given a wonderful gift from one of the ladies there. She had overheard me talking to another lady before Christmas about the fact that I had just taken up bobbin lace - and this gift of old bone and wooden bobbins was just amazing. She assured me that she hadn't done any lace making in over 40 years and wasn't about to take it up again! She was happy knowing that I would use them and that they would get an appreciative new home. There was only one problem with them - the wire on the 'spangles' was very corroded and really too heavy. I had been given a modern bobbin by my lace teacher and the beads that were used were much smaller and lighter. So I spent an evening removing all the spangles ready to renew them. Some of the glass beads I will be able to re-use, but most were misshapen, too large and rather ugly! I felt these wonderful old bobbins needed a bit more 'glamour' so I am sure I will enjoy the task ahead of me.
The bobbin on the far right was the one given to me by my lace teacher and has given me the idea of what size beads to use.
I am not using copper wire as in the traditional method, but using tiger wire and crimps with the cut ends of the wire hidden inside the largest bead - so hopefully no catching of the lace threads. I am matching the bobbins to make sets, and these will be spangled with similar beads and colours.
I have nearly finished a small lace border for a mat that I started before Christmas. I will now need to find another project for my next Lace Lesson in February. I am happy to do more Torchon lace, but would quite like to try something new - but will discuss with my teacher first. I fancy making a piece of lace to add to a caftan style top around the neckline - but might have to draft my own pattern. We shall see.
